When in the Land of Smiles...

Trip Start Oct 15, 2008
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5
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Trip End Ongoing


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Where I stayed
Gap's II
(Chiang Mai hotels)

Flag of Thailand  ,
Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I just arrived in Chiang Mai, a very jungley city in Northern Thailand. The sleeper train experience was wonderful - best night's sleep I've had since I arrived in Thailand (the sleeping pill helped). I shared a car with a Thai family that conversed with me all morning and did not seem to care that I couldn't understand a word they were saying. My first "conversation" in 5 days!

When I arrived at the Chiang Mai station a tourist agent ushered me onto a taxi. The taxis in Chiang Mai are pickup truck style with a bench along either side of the truckbed. When we left the station the taxi driver failed to mention that he had absolutely no idea how to get to my guest house, Gap's II. After about an hour he began stopping at every corner and convenience store to ask for directions. At one point I gave him the phone number, which he wrote on his hand and continued driving around aimlessly without even bothering to make the call. After 2 hours I seriously considered jumping out the back of the truck. Finally we arrived at Gap's II - I swear we had already passed it about 3 times. If this were Boston I would have given the cab driver a piece of my mind and refused to pay. But when in the "Land of Smiles"...I just flashed my pearly whites and gave the driver a nice tip. The purpose of my trip is to find myself and I actually found a new side to myself today: a side that is able to feign patience.

Gap's II is quite charming. For 500 Baht a night (about $15) I have a double bed with a hot shower, AC, satellite TV, balcony, free bike rental, and breakfast. Best of all, the bathroom is arranged so that I can take a shower while sitting on the toilet.

Tonight I have tentative plans to meet up with 2 of Noah's friends. It's quite a challenge to make plans without the help of a cell phone, or any phone for that matter. I guess we will just pick a time and place to meet and then show up. Crazy, I know.
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Comments

volberding
volberding on Oct 21, 2008 at 01:33PM

Putting the I, M in impatience...
I find it incredibly difficult to believe that you were not wearing your impatience all over your beautiful face.

Anyway, take a simultaneous shower, shit and shave for me...

beckysan
beckysan on Oct 22, 2008 at 01:39AM

Ewww!
Come meet me here and do it yourself.

fredarnstein
fredarnstein on Nov 27, 2008 at 03:52AM

Toilet in the shower??
I can't even imagine what you mean? But glad you like it.
Fred

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